Two Nigerians in race for Commonwealth Writer’s Prize

Twenty-one writers, including two from Nigeria, are in the race for the 2013 Commonwealth Prize, the highest honour for literature in English from Commonwealth countries.

Nominated from Nigeria are The Spider King’s Daughter by Chibundu Onuzo, Sarah House by Ifeanyi Ajaegho and Sterile Sky by E.E. Sule.

The prize inspires writers, story-tellers and a range of cultural practitioners to make an impact on the society with their literature and engage with the audience for change.

The prize builds on communities of emerging voices to influence their lives directly and indirectly. The five regional winners and the overall winner will be announced on May 14 at the Hay Festival in London. The winner will receive a cash prize of 10,000 pounds.

The winners will be judged by a panel of members of the international literary community represented by Godfrey Smith, Goretti Kyomuhendo, Manu Joseph, Linda Leith, Esther Phillips and Martin Shaw.

The list of regional finalists are first-time novelists who address issues typical to the Commonwealth nations like immigration, colonial history, post-colonialism, politics, relationships and transformation.

Other nominees are: Disposable People by Ezekel Alan (Jamaica), Floundering by Romy Ash (Australia), Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron (Canada), Mazin Grace by Dylan Coleman (Australia), A Tiger in Eden by Chris Flynn (Australia), The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Rachel Joyce (UK), The Headmaster’s Wager by Vicent Lam (Canada), Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera (Sri Lanka), The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell (United Kingdom), The Great Agony & Pure Laughter of the Gods by Jamala Safari (South Africa), The Last Thread by Michael Sala (Australia), Sterile Sky by E.E. Sule (Nigeria), Beneath the Darkening Sky by Majok Tulba (Australia) and The Bellwether Revivals by Benjamin Wood (UK).